My
spouse and I attended a performance at the State Theatre on a Friday evening in
early February 2017. We purchased our tickets online about one week prior to
the show; although we chose the option for delivery in the mail, we never
received our tickets via the postal service. When we went to the box office
prior to the show to have our tickets reprinted, the agent produced our tickets
tidily enclosed in a mailing envelope, along with our ticket receipt and a
small brochure about Easton merchants and restaurants, so we believe that the
theatre never mailed them to us even though we selected that option. This
delivery issue was a bit disappointing because we had been checking our mailbox
daily, including making an extra stop back at home to check the mail again
before we left for the show.
The
State Theatre is located in downtown Easton on Northampton Street, close to
area shops, restaurants, and bars. The closest eateries include Two Rivers
Brewing Company, Maxim’s 22, and the Easton Public Market, although none of
Easton’s downtown restaurants is far from the theater. You can park at meters
on the street or in surface parking lots, or you can park in one of the
multi-story public garages a few blocks away at the intersection of Third and
Ferry Streets. It is easy to walk from the garage to the theatre (although a
bit uphill), but you can ride the complimentary trolley (sponsored by Good
Shepherd Rehabilitation Network) if you prefer.
When it first opened in 1910, the State Theatre Center for
the Arts was originally called Neumeyers
Vaudeville House. (Prior to that time, the location held the
Northampton National Bank.) The name of the theatre has changed over time from
Neumeyers to Northampton to Colonial; in 1926, after extensive renovations to
include a larger auditorium, balcony, and updated décor, it was renamed “The
State”. (A Philadelphia architect employed elements from Spanish and Italian
architecture in his re-design, and local Italian craftsmen created the
elaborate gilding and frescoes, which sadly are now painted over.) The asymmetrical
building features a stone Beaux-Arts style facade and a large overhanging
marquee. In 1982, the State Theatre was added to the National Register of
Historic Places. The State even boasts a resident friendly ghost named “Fred”
after whom the annual “Freddy” awards ceremony that recognizes high-school
theatre achievement is named.
For this performance, because we purchased our
tickets late, we sat in row Z, which is the second-to-last row in the street-level
orchestra section. In addition, our seats were located on the outer aisle. Even
though we sat nearly as far from the stage as possible, our view was still good
because of the sloped floor arrangement of the seats. In fact, we feel that we
had a better viewpoint than if we sat closer to the stage because those seats
are arranged on a more level floor than the inclined area where we sat. On the
other hand, we have also sat in the loge and balcony years ago (so things may
have changed since that time) and for us as tall people, those upper-level seats
did not afford us enough legroom (although the view was fine). As with most
things, all patrons have their own personal preference as to where the best
seats are located, but we would not hesitate to purchase spots in the rear
again.
The first/ground floor of the theatre is
handicap-accessible. Although you can use an elevator to access the second
floor, you may then need to walk to your seat because the loge and balcony floors
are sloped. Audio enhancement is available for those with hearing deficiencies.
You can check your coat in the theater’s entry vestibule, and you can purchase
drinks and snacks at a bar on either level (credit cards are accepted). Doors
generally open one hour prior to performances, with the box office open two
hours prior.
